MASSACRE AT BALLYMURPHY

Posted By: March 29, 2019

PRESS INFORMATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOMINATED FOR A BAFTA

Today’s BAFTA nomination of Massacre at Ballymurphy – Channel 4’s ninety minute special investigation into the death of 11 innocent people in one nationalist housing estate in Belfast in 1971 – allegedly at the hands of British forces – has been warmly welcomed by the families of those who died.

John Teggart, whose unarmed father Daniel Teggart was shot multiple times during the massacre, said today: “The families are overjoyed about the news of the BAFTA nomination. It is a tribute to the film-makers and to all relatives who have campaigned for so long for the truth. We are delighted and crossing our fingers that the film goes on to win.”

Breige Voyle, whose mother, also unarmed, was shot in the face and body and left to die on a wasteland directly in front of army barracks occupied by members of the elite Parachute Regiment added: “I’m delighted that the film has been nominated for a BAFTA. It is really great news. The families have always known their loved ones were innocent, but this film has let the world see what happened.”

The director of the film, Callum Macrae, said: “For 47 years this awful tragedy was been largely ignored – and indeed remained largely unknown outside of Belfast and the north of Ireland.”

He added: “The film not only tells that story, but is a tribute to the courage, dignity and determination of the relatives to get to the truth. It is vital that the terrible lessons of this awful event are learnt, not just so the bereaved families can at last achieve a degree of truth and justice, but also so that those responsible can ensure this never happens again.”